Finding That Perfect Fit

October 23, 2012|Jim MacPherson, On The Road

We all like to be comfortable, whether it's at work or at home. But what about in our car? Outside of obvious considerations for head and leg room, few people think about how they’ll fit in their cars. There are other factors besides roominess to keep in mind when determining how well we fit in our vehicles.

These become more important as we age, as older drivers may have issues with movement and physical flexibility that can be exacerbated by improper adjustments. Older drivers are also more susceptible to injury in an accident. Proper adjustment of seats and seat belts can help reduce this risk.

Fortunately, most vehicles have easily adjustable options designed to accommodate a wide range of potential drivers. The most obvious one is for the driver’s seat, but most cars also have adjustments for the steering wheel, upper shoulder belt mounting height, mirrors, and in some cases, the foot petals. That’s a lot of possible ways to adjust the car either to fit the driver, or to have something go astray and create problems.

To help address the issue of proper vehicle adjustments for older drivers, Hartford Hospital, AARP, AAA and The American Occupational Therapy Association will be holding a CarFit session this Saturday at the Enfield Senior Center on 299 Elm Street in Enfield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

While designed for older drivers, Aaron Kupec, public affairs manager for AAA, says there is no age restriction. Interested participants can call 860-249-1245 for an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome. There is no charge, and participants don’t need to be Enfield residents or members of any of the organizations running the event.

Among the items on the 12-point list that are checked include the steering wheel, head restraint and mirror adjustments. "Some people are not even aware that they can adjust the steering wheel," Kupec says.

In one CarFit program I observed several years ago, an unexpected number of participants were also unaware that the shoulder belt mounting height could be adjusted for greater comfort and safety in their cars. Several of these people were pleasantly surprised at the difference in comfort this adjustment could make. There were also several participants, unaware of this adjustment, who had tied the shoulder belt away from their neck. More than one participant arrived showing off another solution to an ill-fitting shoulder belt, which consisted of tucking the belt under their left arm. Either of these “fixes” for an improperly adjusted seat belt can lead to severe injuries in the event of a crash.

"We also check the distance from the steering wheel to the chest," Kupec says. "It should be at least ten inches." This is true even if the car is an older model that is not equipped with an air bag.

Kupec says car with multiple drivers should have all the drivers go through the CarFit process.

At the end of the initial assessment, an occupational therapist will review the findings and offer suggestions for changes to make driving more comfortable and safer. In addition, participants will be able to check out a variety of accessories that can make vehicle usage easier for an older driver.

This CarFit assessment is free, and the short time it takes can pay dividends by not only making driving more comfortable, but safer.

Jim MacPherson is the host of "The Car Doctor" show airing Sundays at noon on WTIC-AM. Paula MacPherson is his wife and new-car review partner. Send comments, questions, suggestions in care of Special Publications, Hartford Courant, 285 Broad St., Hartford, CT 06115, or email otr@courant.com